How to Fix ERR_CACHE_MISS in Chrome

ERR_CACHE_MISS appears in Google Chrome when the browser cannot retrieve necessary cached data needed to load a webpage. This happens during form submissions, after reloading pages, or when navigating back.

Usually, the error means Chrome’s cache is faulty, missing, or corrupted. It commonly shows during checkout on online stores, after submitting contact forms, or when authentication fails mid-session. The error message can be displayed in the browser window or within Chrome DevTools as ERR_CACHE_MISS.

The error is specific to the way Chrome manages the cache. Users may see “Confirm Form Resubmission” or get the ERR_CACHE_MISS label on the page. The cause is nearly always on the client side, relating to how the local browser stores web files, form data, or session information.

Causes

• Corrupted browser cache files
• Outdated Chrome version
• Extension conflicts (especially privacy tools)
• Network configuration problems
• Cache-control headers set by web servers
• DNS issues affecting the connection

These factors prevent Chrome from loading web data correctly, which leads to the error.

Troubleshooting and Fixes

Reload the Page

Reload to force Chrome to pull new data from the server. On Windows and Linux, press Ctrl+F5 or Shift+F5. On Mac, use Command+Shift+R. This bypasses the cache and reloads all assets.

Update Chrome

Using the latest browser reduces compatibility problems. Go to chrome://settings/help. Chrome checks for updates and applies them upon restart.

Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

1. Go to chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
2. Select “All time” for time range
3. Check “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”
4. Click “Clear data”
5. Restart Chrome

This removes cached files that may be corrupted or incomplete.

Disable Extensions

Extensions affect requests and cache. Go to chrome://extensions. Turn off all extensions, then reload the page. Reactivate them one at a time to find the problem add-on. Extensions such as ad blockers and privacy tools are frequent causes.

Reset Chrome Settings

Resetting restores Chrome’s default configuration. Bookmarks and saved passwords remain untouched. Go to chrome://settings/reset, click “Restore settings to their original defaults,” then confirm.

Reset Network Configuration and DNS

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Run these commands:
3. ipconfig /flushdns
4. ipconfig /release
5. ipconfig /renew
6. netsh winsock reset
7. netsh int ip reset
8. Restart your computer

This clears DNS cache and rebuilds network settings.

Use Chrome DevTools to Disable Cache

For users who need technical steps:
1. Press Ctrl+Shift+I or Command+Option+I to open DevTools
2. Go to the “Network” tab
3. Tick the “Disable cache” box
4. Reload the page while DevTools is open

This step is often used by developers during debugging.

Real-World Cases

• Submitting a payment form on a WooCommerce shop leads to ERR_CACHE_MISS when pressing back in Chrome. Clearing browsing data resolves the error.
• A Chrome update causes a new extension to disrupt the browser’s cache operations, which shows the error. The user disables the extension and normal site access returns.
• Developers notice this error when testing multi-step forms or custom backend logic after a browser session expires or a plugin alters headers.

Technical Notes

• Most ERR_CACHE_MISS events protect sites from duplicate requests or transactions by blocking form resubmission.
• The error affects WordPress, WooCommerce, and sites using aggressive caching plugins.
• Common code snippets to prevent repeat errors include setting Cache-Control: no-store headers on sensitive routes.
• Chrome 121 and newer add tools under chrome://settings/privacySandbox for quicker cache clearing.
• Some errors relate to network stack or DNS failures, which resolving DNS and resetting network settings can address.

Related Chrome Errors

• ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED: server-side connection problems
• ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID: SSL mismatch or certificate error

Commands and Chrome URLs

• Extensions: chrome://extensions
• Clear Data: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
• Reset Chrome: chrome://settings/reset

User Challenges

• Manually clearing the cache can overwhelm less technical users
• Finding extension conflicts is time-consuming, as each must be checked separately
• Users confuse this error with server-side issues at first
• Misconfigured server cache settings can conflict with browser cache, multiplying troubleshooting steps

This error is handled at the browser level and will often resolve with the above methods. Sites handling sensitive form data or payments should use cache-control headers on forms to avoid eliciting ERR_CACHE_MISS for their users. Regular browser maintenance and stable extensions further reduce its likelihood.

The post How to Fix ERR_CACHE_MISS in Chrome appeared first on GreenGeeks.